Musical Theatre Guild's production of "Sweet Charity" will feature, from left, Davlin Hupp as Helene, Amanda Tokarek as Charity Hope Valentine and Tammy Erkman as Nickie.

BUTLER TWP — The Musical Theatre Guild is bringing "Sweet Charity," an upbeat show, to the boards for its spring production, set to open April 17 at the Succop Theater on the campus of Butler County Community College.

Neil Simon and Cy Coleman's delightful musical comedy is about Charity Hope Valentine, (Amanda Tokarek) who, despite her job as a hostess at a seedy dime-a-dance joint, is an incurable optimist. Though she stumbles into several bad relationships, she eventually picks herself up and starts living "Hopefully Ever After."

Tokarek of Ford City is delighted with the role, even though its demands can be daunting. "I never get a break during this show," Tokarek said. "I'm in almost every scene and it's a little intimidating for me. I know that rehearsing the show in its entirety will help me overcome this."

And what does she think of her character?

"Charity is upbeat and bubbly, eternally optimistic, and desperately looking for love," she said. "Charity is a fabulous character and you can't help but be drawn to her right from the start."

In her day job, Tokarek works as a case manager at the Family Counseling Center in Kittanning and last appeared as Belle in the Sing Hosanna! fall production of "Beauty and the Beast."

This show is full of big dance numbers, always crowd pleasers, and it has lots of energy and a fun 1960s vibe, she explained. When the show opened on Broadway, Charity was played by Gwen Verdon and eventually by Shirley MacLaine in the film version.

One of Charity's peers in the dance hall is Carmen, who is being portrayed by Alison Carey of Butler. "Carmen is a tough girl just trying to get by, like a lot of the girls in the dance hall. Like most of the girls, she's tough on the outside but has a soft heart," said Carey, a music teacher at Chicora Elementary School who appeared in the fall MTG production of "Oklahoma."

"The music in the show is fantastic," Carey said. "The song 'The Rhythm of Life' should get everyone out of their seats dancing. It's got interesting layered harmonies and is written in a polyphonic style."

Her favorite number is the ensemble "Big Spender," which stars the dance hall girls.

Also in this production are Tammy and Patrick Erkman, Davlin Hupp, Austin Stockard, Phil Ball and a host of other talent from the Butler area.

The Thursday show will benefit the YWCA.

Sponsored by the Butler Eagle, proceeds from this opening night performance will be used for Free Care Services for the YWCA Personal Care Residence.

"In the past, the Musical Theatre Guild has been a strong supporter of the YWCA of Butler and through the director of this production. The YWCA asked if it could be part of the guild's philanthropic focus," explained YWCA executive director Margaret Clawson. "The YWCA of Butler is extremely appreciative to the Butler Eagle by sponsoring this performance."

Tickets for the benefit performance are available at the YWCA.

<B>WHO:</B> Musical Theatre Guild<B>WHAT:</B> "Sweet Charity"<B>WHEN:</B> 8 p.m. April 17, 18 and 19 and 3 p.m. April 20<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater on the campus of Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$15 for adults and $12 for students, available at May's Music Shoppe from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; or by calling 724-287-8243. Tickets for the April 17 show that benefits the YWCA are available at the YWCA, 120 W. Cunningham St.